(Photo : Food World News) A bagel stuffed with healthy ingredients can still be satisfying while being better for you.
Last month, we brought you news of the viral stuffed bagel recipe all over TikTok - inspired by LA's Calic Bagel - with tips on how to make the mega-yummy item at home. After all, it's a decadent, ooey, gooey delight that millions are falling for the world over. And although crazy delicious, these TikTok super trends aren't always the healthiest items for us to indulge in. Which begs the question - how can we indulge without going completely overboard? We checked in with Los Angeles-based certified nutritionist Valerie Poirier for some tips on how to make the stuffed bagel a little better for our bodies.
Swaps For A Healthier Stuffed Bagel
Good news, bad news. Bad news first! When it comes to improving the original recipe, complete with loads of delicious cream cheese and literally bathed in garlic butter, it can be hard to honestly make that healthy. In reality, to make the viral bagel dish healthier, it comes down to what you pair with it. The good news is that by tailoring your stuffed bagel recipes to your specific health goals, Valerie says you can still enjoy a delicious meal while supporting your nutritional needs. For low-fat options, pair your bagel with cream cheese alternatives like cottage cheese, ricotta, or hummus. If you're wanting to incorporate healthy fats, use ingredients like chia, flax or hemp seeds, avocado slices, walnuts, and more. For high-protein diets, consider adding scrambled eggs, spinach and bell peppers, or even almond butter.
Tips For A Healthier Viral Stuffed Bagel
To be on the healthier side, you may not be able to stuff your bagel like those featured at Calic, but that doesn't mean you can't get creative at home to create your own indulgence with a healthy slant. Try creating a recipe using these three tips:
While the O.G. stuffed bagel slices the bagel from the top down into six sections like a pizza, you can always traditionally slice your bagel in half and hollow out the middle to add more nutritious filling AND make it lower carb.
Valerie's pro tips for elevating the taste profile of - and incorporating wholesome ingredients into - your bagel include mixing items like wild-caught smoked salmon, chicken, and ample veggies like tangy red onions, briny capers, or nutty black sesame seeds into your cream cheese. This allows you to use less cream cheese while still achieving a delightful taste profile.
Skip the dip in garlic butter and enjoy cold (or room temp) for a healthier twist that still feels satisfying.
